Greb may have had the speed, punch output, stamina and chin to outpoint Monzon ... on this one I'd take Greb ...
I'd make Greb a clear favorite. Monzon used his size in an excellent manner, but history suggests that size and ring generalship didn't bother Greb that much. Gene Tunney, hello?
Yep, if height and reach was ever going to be an issue for prime Greb, it would have been against the likes of a Morris, Wills, Willard, Firpo, or Fulton, heavyweights of a size he never tried, not somebody like Monzon. (By the way, the Windmill's highest competitive weight was 176 for Tommy Robson in January 1919, while Escopeta scaled just over 163 for his final non-title appearance against Roy Dale in May, 1973. Greb would not be outsized in the way that Benvenuti, Griffith, Napoles and Moyer were Patience would not do it for Carlos either, who would find himself outpaced. As effective a jab as he had, if one wanted to compete effectively against Harry primarily with that punch, his name had better be Loughran. Who was the fastest man Monzon defeated? I'd guess whoever it was either was lacking in gas, punch resistance, or both. Greb would be gunning for the body here, as he often did, and using that body attack to go after a decision, as he almost exclusively did.
Monzon was a rangy, big middle who utilised his height and reach excellently.Greb however had astonishing success against bigger foes. I see Harry's speed and india rubber, in and out, perpetual motion, making him impossible for Carlos to time with that long jab ,and hard to catch with the pay off right cross. Greb by clear decision.
Harry Greb, by any weight. Monzon would have been too slow for a Harry Greb, who kicked the hell out of a bigger and stronger version of Carlos Monzon.Gunboat Smith ! Greb outsped and outfought many larger great LHs,such as Tunney, Gibbons, Jack Dillon, Levinsky,Rosenbloom ,Tommy Loughran, heavyweights Bill Brennan [4], fat Willie Meehan all who were much bigger than he. With all due respect Monzon ,truly never tackled the big boys...He was smart...Greb too too fast and elusive for Monzon.
So, Athletes were "crap those days.' What a ludicrous statement to make. I am still around to dispute such an unthought of statement. So Gene Tunney,Tommy Gibbons,Benny Leonard, Mickey Walker,Jack Dempsey, and yes a Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Ike Williams, Kid Gavilan, Charley Burley, Holman Williams, and a host of others were "crap" ,because you say so ? These guys fought 4 to 6 times as many fights, as today's prima donnas, and you try to disparage them. My dad and your ancestors, ate like you, talked like you and walked like you, I can assure you.! Monzon would never see the day he would have caught up to Greb for a decision. His face woud be engulfed in a sea of leather... Rest assured......And LH Gene Tunney would have outboxed, outfoxed and battered the smaller Carlos Monzon, even if he came from an era of "crap" as you so elegantly described it. Cheers....
Are we sure Tunney is a reasonable example to use as "proof" that Greb would overwhelm Monzon? The rules were a bit looser in Greb's time, and he got away with a lot of stuff against a damaged Tunney the first time that would simply not be allowed later. And anyway.............are we conveniently forgetting Tunney beat him each and every time afterward with the same sort of disciplined attack Carlos would implement? I'm picking Monzon here.
Burt; no offense, I know you've seen a lot in your time and all and we all love the eras you've seen, but I think this kind of thing may be why a few here have issues with you at times. You can get a bit imperious here and there. Try to lighten up a bit, will ya? The guy was obviously having a joke.
I would pick Greb purely based on who he beat and how he beat them. Also if Monzon won, Greb would likley have him in the rematch.